How To Create A Minimalist Closet

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hi!

I love your blog! I love your simplicity, resourcefulness, and the way you steward your money so well!

I have a question. You know how your closet of clothes is rather small? I really want to learn how to be like that. I feel like I always buy things that are really cheap (b/c that's how my mom taught me to shop and it feels rewarding when I get a good deal), but sometimes I don't always wear all that I have or I end up not liking it and giving it away...

How do you keep your closet so minimal? And do you have any general shopping tips? Or specific ones for people like me who have a small budget and go a bit crazy with the sales and clutter?

Thanks! I'd really appreciate any of your input!

First of all, thank you so much!!!

My closet wasn't always that small. When I got married, I had to reevaluate my spending habits of what we really needed versus what I wanted. Marriage has really helped me to have a frugal mindset. I can't afford to go shopping often. It also helps that my husband and I are both very practical when it comes to things. We only keep items in our home that we need or use regularly. Otherwise, we either find a way to make money off of it or donate it. I've borrowed that mentality for my wardrobe. That's how my closet stays minimal.

I've mentioned this before but I don't like shopping. So when I go shopping, I am fast. I learned that the more time you take, the more you'll over-think and rationalize an unnecessary purchase. My strategy for shopping is to not even touch the clothes. I scan them. I look at the print. I see what kind of fabric it is before I touch it to see what it really feels/looks like. This helps me to sift through the cheap fabrics and colors/prints I don't care for. I don't buy cheap fabric clothes because (a) they look cheap, (b) they don't last, and (c) most are trendy and not classic - I want long-lasting clothes for less, not cheap clothes for less. (A few stores that sell overpriced cheap clothes are Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal, and Forever 21. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy from them. If you see something you love, go for it. Just remember it won't last...like my sequin flats.)

Purging Your Closet

First, try on all your clothes and see how they fit. If they don't fit or flatter, they've gotta go. No questions asked.

I learned this great technique from Kjrsten. She once mentioned that she organized her closet by putting the clothes she's already worn in the back of the closet so that everything would be worn once. I thought this was a fabulous idea and have done this a time or two. It makes you see what items you want to keep going back to and the ones you can't find a way to wear. Those go.

Take them to a consignment store for $$, sell it on ebay, go to a clothing swap, trade with your friends, and get rid of those clothes!

Check out thrift stores, consignment stores, garage sales, and ebay but look for quality items. For thrift and consignment stores, check to see if they have any sales on certain days and only go shopping during those days. And don't be afraid to bargain at garage sales. They just want to get rid of their junk fast so most of the time, they'll take whatever.

Try to wane yourself of the sales paradox. Only buy something (on sale) if you reaaallllly love it and you can think of at least three ways to wear it. If you kind of like it, don't buy it.

Janelle: Save up and splurge on quality clothes you love that will last you years.

Alex: If you like something, set a price you'd be willing to pay (Me: without looking at the tag first). If it is more than what you think it is worth, don't buy it.

I hope this helps! I'm sure there is more information that can be added to this. If you have any suggestions, share your knowledge. If you have any questions, let me know.

I tend to adopt the approach of "Do I like it?" If it's a yes, I work out how much I would be happy to pay for it, then look at the price label. If it's more then it doesn't get purchased, simple as that. So many places are massively overpriced nowadays.

Oh Elaine, that really helped me! I'm gonna try it ASAP, because Alex and I are getting married next year and, yes ma'am, I know how hard things will be, specially for our clothes. Little space x lots of stuff, Elaine, you are my hero! I loved these tips! xoxo, hope you have an awesome day! Kiss kiss

Thanks for helping me with one more adjective, you are appreciated darling!

I'd like to add an item to your instructions: settle on some reasonable numbers. Mine are something like seven pairs of jeans, four pairs of slacks, four pairs of shorts, ten blouses, seven sweaters, ten dresses. And then stick to those numbers! This is like creating a space constraint, which can be a wonderful thing, whether or not you have one. When you want a new blouse, consider which one of your ten it will replace. Keeping it small is a beautiful thing.

After seeing your maroon skirt, I wanna try making my own skirt as well. I am sad though because I don't have a sewing machine, so the project would take days instead of a couple of hours.Love Tonya's skirt tutorial though. I think I might have to try it in spite of my lack of machinery.

Thank you thank you thank you!! I am such a sales rack shopper. It is horrible. That is how my mom taught me, and I get great deals...but the issue is that they don't last. These are great tips. I am doing this today. lol

totally agree with you on all of this .. i am currently moving and leaving behind all the shirts and clothing that i dont want to wear anymore .. only buy stuff you love ! or are basics that you wear all the time .

wow, i love this blog.no, but really i love this blog.probably my new favorite.i can really relate to having a small closet.i'm not blessed with tons of money, so my closet isn't as big as some can be. i try to rewear what i can and make it work in a different way.

i also saw the ny times article. it seems like minimalism is the new go-to fashion word but the truth is, less was always more! simple and classic style is harder to come by these days when people tend to overload on accessories and multiple trends at once. I love your answers, very smart and easy to apply! :)xx

Try to wane yourself of the sales paradox. Only buy something (on sale) if you reaaallllly love it and you can think of at least three ways to wear it. If you kind of like it, don't buy it.it's kind a hard.. but i'll try my best!thx for sharing the tips :)

Oh, great advice! I'm trying to be more minimal myself. Only, I just LOVE having A LOT of clothes. I simply cannot part with beloved items! I mean, I know the whole "if you don't wear it for a year" rule. BUT I don't wear clothes for a year, rediscover them, and then wear them all the time!

Plus, I can think of three articles of clothing that I have given away in the past, that I want back still! (yes, my closet is packed).

Great advice! I'm also a fast shopper. I only shop when I am looking for something in particular...I go in a store, look for the item. If it's not there I leave immediately. If it is, but if it is out of my mental budget, I will leave. Only if it is within what I think is a reasonable price (to me, not relative to what the store thinks is reasonable) then I will try it on and maybe buy it. I often come back empty-handed, but that's okay.

you mentioned that it's good to settle on certain numbers of clothing for each categhory. i am desperately trying to get rid of most of my clothes so can you tell me how many items of each cloth you have? and do you ever save cloeths just because of the sentimental value they have for you? that seems to be my biggest problem when thinking of throwing something away. and great tips! i will definitelt try do the same as you on tip #11

great post! you definitely made some valid points! (i.e. if they don't fit or flatter, toss 'em - no questions aksed!) something to think about :) feel free to check out my "pro thrift tips" - http://simplychicforcheap.wordpress.com/thrift-tips/

The only tips I have are more questions...I got from a book! They apply to clothing and anything really! The questions are:1. Do I use this?

2. How long has it been since I've used it?

3. Will I use it again?

4. Is it worth the space it takes up in my house?And I have more tips on purging your house or closet on this post (http://www.sloanbook.com/2011/05/tips-to-declutter-your-home.html) if you (or whoever) are interested but sounds like you are doing well since your closet is so minimalistic :)

Your tips are so helpful. I'm in the process of decluttering and I descovered that I didn't wear 70% of what I have in my closet! I'm selling, giving away and to be honest, I'm much happier. Anyway, great tips! www.moiminnie.blogspot.com x